THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 49 Issue 14
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.82% 3 Year GIC - 2.00% 5 Year GIC - 2.40% Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, April 8, 2016
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Farming showcase - The 2016 Drayton Kinsmen Farm Show drew people of all ages to the PMD arena on March 30 and 31. LEFT: Chatting at the Kubota booth were, from left; John Shultis, Harvey Miller and Trevor Hill. RIGHT: Youngsters could pick up free fire hats at the Township of Mapleton booth. From left: front, Sarah, Kyle and Jason Brouwer of Mapleton; back, Mapleton CAO Brad McRoberts, Fire Chief Rick Richardson and councillor Marlene Ottens. Additional photos on pages 2 and 8. photos by Patrick Raftis
Drayton Kinsmen Farm Show draws over 2,000 to see latest farm technology
by Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - The Drayton Kinsmen Farm Show was an overwhelming success once again. The 35th annual show, held on March 30 and 31 at the PMD arena, attracted aboveaverage attendance, organizers report. “As this was my first time as show chairperson, I was amazingly surprised at how well
things worked out,” said Carl Bondi. “There were over 2,000 paid admissions. I wouldn’t even be able to guess how many children walked through the door.” Bondi thanked community volunteers, especially the Drayton Minor Hockey Association, which provided food for the event. He also thanked the Township of
Mapleton council for a reduction in the facility rental rate for the event. “It’s not that it’s a farm or trade show, it’s a community show. Proceeds go back into the community to build parks and assist with other community projects,” Bondi said. The show, the largest fundraiser the Kinsmen undertake during the year, also raises
thousands of dollars for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation with half of the $5 admission price going to the cause. Focus on technology New this year was a renewed focus on the latest technology. “The robotic pig pen washer and robotic milk feeder used for calves, kids and lambs, attracted a lot of attention,”
Bondi said. “Even the boat/ trailer combo drew interested people in. A variety of newer implements were on display outside of the arena in the parking lot. We will endeavour to have on display the latest in farm technology as it becomes available in the years to come.” Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll, whose Driscoll Farms Ltd. booth is popular for dis-
tributing freshly-popped popcorn, told show organizers that by the end of the two-day event he and his staff were able to hand out 3,300 bags. The company’s goal for next year is 4,000 bags. “We hoped everyone who enjoyed this year’s show will be attending next year,” Bondi said. “Planning for 2017 has already begun.”
County approves rural waste pickup; future of transfer stations uncertain by Patrick Raftis GUELPH - Wellington County council approved expanding waste and recyclable collection to rural households at its March 31 meeting. However, the expanded service comes at a price in the form of higher user fees and uncertainty about the fate of waste transfer stations in the county. In approving the solid waste services committee recommendation to expand the collection, council also endorsed changes to user fees for waste disposal, the first increase since the county took over waste services during the municipal amalgamation process over 15 years ago. As of July 1: - large user pay garbage bags will cost $2, an increase of 25 cents; - small user pay bags will increase to $1.50 from $1; and - bags brought to county waste facilities will cost $2 each to drop off. The county anticipates the user fee changes will offset the additional cost of providing the expanded rural roadside collection service. In advance of the July 1 start date, two large blue boxes will be delivered to each rural
household in the five municipalities which will begin receiving the expanded service. The delivery will occur in late May or early June, and will include an information package to provide details on how to participate in the roadside waste and recycling program. Since 2006, the county has picked up garbage and recycling every other week in rural areas of Guelph-Eramosa and since 2010 in Erin. Neither municipality has a transfer station within its borders. Solid waste services committee chair councillor Don McKay said the move was partially about “levelling the playing field,” however GuelphEramosa Mayor Chris White disputed that perception. “I am having trouble with the idea this is a level playing field,” said White, noting that unless changes are made, several municipalities will have both rural pickup and a waste transfer station. “I don’t know if you’ll ever get to a level playing field and I don’t object to that,” said White. “But this is not a level playing field. Let’s just call it what it is.” McKay pointed out the committee will be considering
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the future of the transfer stations over the next eight to 12 months. “Everything is on the table with regard to transfer stations. We can look at keeping them as they are, reducing the hours, maybe expanding the hours … we can look at opening some new ones, maybe close some.”
County engineer Gord Ough said when the county took over collection, “it was not clearly stated that everyone would have a transfer station or necessarily the same service.” “I just want to confirm this isn’t a north versus south issue, because it’s starting to sound like that and I’m
glad you’re correcting that,” Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll told White, adding he feels the measure will be beneficial to the whole county. Councillor Gregg Davidson, a solid waste services committee member, pointed out the user-pay bag prices were under review regardless of the move
to rural pickup. “We were going to raise bags to $2.25 but now that this rural collection is in, it’s actually come down,” he said. A resolution to accept the committee minutes, including a resolution to proceed with rural pickup and increased user fees, passed unopposed.
High waters - Waters were running high throughout the area last week, as indicated in this photo, taken on the 12th Line just outside of Drayton on March 31 at around 6pm. Although the Grand River Conservation Authority terminated a flood watch for the watershed on April 4, the authority urged the public to exercise “extreme caution in and around all rivers, streams and water bodies.” Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are slippery and when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard, the authority noted. Both water and air temperatures are cold, and anyone going into the water could fall victim to hypothermia within minutes. photo by Caroline Sealey
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